Summary

The position is part of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (P&LM) Service at the Erie VA Medical Center. The histopathology technician is responsible for performing a wide range of stat - routine - complex - and specialized tests with minimal on-site supervision. These procedures range from processing - embedding - and cutting human tissues previously placed in a histology processor for purposes of analysis via light microscopy.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience and Education: Experience: One year of experience in a health care field that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work such as but not limited to a medical or clinical laboratory assistant (or technician) or health technician
• OR Education: Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation such as biological science or chemistry
• or Successful completion of two academic years of study above high school that included at least 24 semester hours in Chemistry and/or in appropriate fields of biological science and successful completion of a 12-month program of education and training in histopathology or cytotechnology
• OR Experience/Education Combination: Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable
• Examples are listed below: Six months of experience in the health care field and two years of education above high school that included at least six semester hours in health care related courses such as biological science - surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position
• or an associate's degree in a health care related field
• Six months of experience in the health care field and successful completion of a course for health care technicians - hospital corpsmen - medical service specialists - or histopathology technicians given by the U.S. Armed Forces
• English Language Proficiency: Histopathology Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5.a. - this part
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Histopathology Technician - GS-5 (Entry Level) Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment
• This is an entry level histopathology technician position
• It is expected that histopathology technicians receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision
• Assignments associated with this position include - but are not limited to - retrieving and accessioning surgical - cytology - and autopsy specimens
• enter and track workload data and disposition of pathology materials and documents electronically
• perform pre and post-analytical duties
• and may assist in preparation of autopsy protocols as assigned
• The incumbent must maintain the integrity of patient identification throughout all processes
• Histopathology Technician - GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-05 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs
• Knowledge of professional anatomic pathology principles - practices - concepts - and theories providing for sound independent work
• Knowledge of laboratory quality control and assurance procedures - principles of performance improvement - reagent management - inventory supply systems - and document control systems
• Knowledge of anatomic pathology laboratory equipment and ability to operate - maintain - and troubleshoot instrumentation
• Ability to plan - organize - set priorities - work as a team member - and effectively complete assignments
• Ability to use independent technical judgment to analyze and evaluate laboratory results
• Assignment: At the full performance level - the histopathology technician uses independent judgment to perform the full range of duties including analyzing and evaluating laboratory results
• The histopathology technician carries out the day-to-day operations in the laboratory with minimal technical supervision
• This includes routine and complex histopathological and cytopathological procedures - quality control and assurance procedures - operation and routine maintenance of instrumentation - troubleshooting - and principles of performance improvement
• The incumbent utilizes specialized techniques for handling cell blocks - frozen sections - bone marrows - autopsies - and fine-needle biopsies
• The technician prepares technically adequate slides of surgical - cytology - and autopsy specimens by processing - embedding tissue - cutting - staining (including immunohistochemistry) - and coverslipping
• Preferred Experience: Completed a histopathology technician program and is certified or eligible for certification
• Familiar with performing gross examinations and embedding tissues
• Familiar with cutting tissue blocks and preparing/staining slides
• Familiar with operating tissue processors
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-06
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019

Duties

• Major Duties include but are not limited to: Performs technical procedures that are not limited to: using the automated histology processor and the embedding and cutting of processed tissues
• Evaluates the suitability of specimens for embedding and cutting prior to actual routine and special staining procedures
• Under the instruction of the Supervisor - he/she follows the guidelines outlined in the appropriate procedure manuals for specimen handling
• Prepares reagents for manual - and instrument-driven staining procedures
• Responsible for accurately entering all the necessary workload information into the VISTA program in the absence of the supervisor
• Verifies correct processor operation using established procedures and quality control checks
• The individual identifies the cause of common problems - makes minor adjustments - and recommends complex instrument repairs
• Instruments and equipment regularly utilized include microscopes - tissue processors - stainers - microtomes - cryotomes - coverslippers - water baths - refrigerators - and freezers
• Reviews test results to detect discrepancies - artifacts - and changes as they applied to a product (stained slide) that may warrant additional testing
• Participates in the evaluation of new instrumentation - reagents - and methodologies that may be incorporated to the test menu
• As directed by the Supervisor - the histopathology technician keeps current with the latest developments in the field through journals - publications - professional meetings - training - etc
• As directed by the Laboratory Supervisor - keeps current with the latest developments in the field through journals - publications - professional meetings - training - etc
• Notifies the Supervisor of all histology errors and takes appropriate action including correcting the error and notifying the provider of the correction of the data
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisor
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required